“It was tough to play because the ball was really moving and we didn’t really know what’s going on on court. Here because of the altitude as well.

"In the last few years, I don’t remember such difficult wind and to feel that tough to play a game.”

After Halep claimed the first set, Martic built a 5-2 lead in the second, and while the world number one fought back to level at 5-5, the Croat emerged with the set in a tiebreaker.

Halep, however, raced away with the match in the third set.

“It was good that after 3-1 I just woke up, and I realized that I’m not doing the right thing on court,” Halep said. “And it was really good that I can see that and change that, so that makes a big (difference).”